This is where I show you my 40% design. I haven't finished this lovely little keyboard, yet, but here is what I have so far.

First build, thanks to TheFlyingRaccoon!:

Photo courtesy of TheFlyingRaccoon

On my first attempt, the metal shop bent the "legs" up instead of down, so the layout was reversed. I decided to go ahead with it, and direct wire the thing.

Wait, but those are DSA Retro caps on there, aren't they? Yes, they certainly are. That's right, when I placed my order during matt3o's (and samwisekoi's) DSA Retro GB, I specifically ordered the exact keycap blanks I would need for this 40% keyboard of mine.

This is how my first attempt it would look in its correct form:

Nice, eh?

Layered stainless steel case:

All credit for the case design idea goes to matt3o. This is my tiny homage to his Steel Beauty.

Original plate idea for this design:

Layout:

I still need to work on the function layers for this layout, to include numbers, punctuation, etc.

Alternate layout:

Function layout:

PCB:

What?!?! Yes.

I am forever indebted to Regack for designing this PCB for me. Thank you so much, Regack.

As you can see from the front silkscreen, credit is also due to Dox, bpiphany, and komar007. I was inspired by each of them to make my own design.

Also, a nod to kmiller8, who independently came up with an idea for a 40% keyboard right about the same time I had my idea. He even incorporated my design's elements into his PCB brainstorming session.

This keyboard is hereby named the SmallFry Keyboard, in honor of our friend.

This would be great with a slim sturdy case. It would be great if the case was designed with a higher lip around the sides to protect the keys during transportation. And a custom top part of the car can be made to protect the keys and switches during transport.

Why not stamp SmallFry's name on every other thing we create, so it sells? Excellent business idea!

>.< I believe this is a personal statement by JD, as he liked Smallfry a lot and they were friendly. It's not about selling stuff or business ideas. Not to mention, this is JD's thread for his own project, so he can do and call it whatever he wants.